Author: Enestina GhanaMPs

The seven-member Ad Hoc Committee tasked by the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin to investigate the brouhaha that erupted at the working of the Appointments Committee leading to the suspension of four MPs for two weeks has started its work.

The committee on the evening of Monday, February 4, 2025, started watching videos of the chaos that occurred on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

Chairman of the Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah in a media address in Parliament pointed out that the Committee will start holding public hearing on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 10:00am in Parliament House.

And further added that they shall expect members of parliament, the media, guests who were present at the vetting room as well as members of the general public to voluntarily appear and assist the committee with relevant information on the incident.

The committee has also created a digital platform where we shall receive multimedia evidence including videos, audios and text to facilitate a speedy execution of the committee’s task. These can be forwarded to the clerk to the committee on 0244926911.

Again, the committee shall solicit the services of a forensic expert from the Ghana Police Service to assist with authentication, analysis and validation of all multimedia evidence that would be received from witnesses.

He also provided the opportunity for in-camera hearing for persons who may wish to utilize such an avenue to provide useful evidence to assist the committee.

“It’s our hope that all citizens would stand with the Parliament of Ghana in this trying moment to assist in rebuilding our enviable democratic attributes as we undertake to execute this task”, he said.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Mr. Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe Constituency, has pledged to resolve telecommunication network issues to ensure uninterrupted and reliable connectivity within the Gbledi enclave and the Constituency.

The pledge, hinged on Mr. Tsekpo’s dedication to the community’s progress and well-being as he is poised to elevate Hohoe to “unprecedented” levels reaffirming his commitment to serving everyone in the Constituency.

Mr. Tsekpo made the pledge during a “Thank You” tour to Gbi Wegbe and the Gbledi Traditional Area in the company of his Constituency Executives to express his gratitude for the support received during and after the 2024 elections.

He said unity and development were key ingredients that yielded positive results hence urged the traditional rulers and constituents to always embrace peace and remain united in the quest to develop themselves and the constituency in general.

Mr. Tsekpo said he remained resolute in his plans to provide clean drinking water to households in Gbledi Gborgame and Gbledi Chebi communities, adding that plans were already in motion with engineers who came for site inspection.

He said he would be an MP committed to listening to the voices of traditional rulers, stakeholders and constituents while co-creating solutions and advocating tirelessly for the well-being of his constituents.

Togbega Homatekpor V, Paramount Chief of Gbledi Traditional Area, congratulated the Member of Parliament and all executives for their hard work in regaining the Parliamentary Seat and promised to work together with the MP to be successful in his endeavour.

He said the people of Gbledi Paramountcy were looking forward to their share of the development, adding that most of the young people who completed Junior and Senior High Schools had no artisanal skills and jobs.

Togbega Homatekpor urged the MP to ensure that available resources and opportunities available to him, also be extended to the Paramountcy.

He urged his subjects to do away with partisan politics since the period was over and be united, and ready to fully support any projects that would come to paramountcy.

Edward Williams

The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament are unhappy that the Speaker Rt. Hon Alban Kingsford Bagbin did not give the four suspended Members of Parliament; Rockson Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamakpor, Majority Chief Whip; Frank Annor-Dompreh, Minority Chief Whip; Alhassan Sulemana Tampuuli, MP and Jerry Ahmed Shaib , Second Deputy Minority Whip the right to fair hearing.

At a press conference addressed by the Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin on Monday, February 3, 2025, he pointed out that they have had the opportunity to listen to every word and phrase that the Speaker used and have come to the conclusion that he grossly exercised his jurisdiction and his mandate, and in the process arrogated powers that he does not have unto himself.

For emphasis, order 129 and 130 reading them together with Orders 30 to 35 even when there are contempt proceedings which will trigger a breach of privilege and by extension for some action to be taken a committee must be set to look into it, he stated.

On this occasion the Speaker was dealing with disorderly conduct which took place at the Committee level where the Chairman of the Committee had the mandate to deal with the matters; but says on his own that he has suspended these members without hearing them.

According to him, as the Chairman of the Committee did not communicate anything to the Speaker neither did the Speaker invite any of them in leadership for any discussion in any event, “when there is punishment, our rules are clear it can be for four days or eight days according to order 130”.

“We are aware that the NDC Majority itself has disregarded the Speaker’s orders. On that day, one of his orders was that the selection committee must meet immediately and reconstitute the Appointment Committee but the NDC has decided to disregard these orders and proceeded with the vetting. Despite the fact that we disagree with the Speaker, out of respect to him, we must still engage him and we will engage him.”

Hon Afenyo-Markin further pointed out that they started this engagement over the weekend; the Majority Leader and his himself had extensive discussions and he (Majority Leader) elected to reach out to Mr. Speaker and get back to him. He tried to reach out to Mr. Speaker but he was not successful.

“We believe today is Monday, Speaker will be in the office for us to see him and take the discussion further. As a responsible caucus we are going to take our concerns in a memo to his office and we believe that will form the basis for discussion”.

Again, we do not know how to treat Mr. Speaker’s communication; whether is a ruling or communication so-called because there is a provision in the order if a motion of matters come to the floor Mr. Speaker will rule on the matter and if we are not okay with it, we can challenge by filing a motion. That is what the rules say.

He noted that this was the same challenge in the ‘vacant seat’ saga when then Minority Leader Ato Forson said he was raising issue of national interest and when the matter went to the Supreme Court the Speaker said he only delivered a communication.

“So we are careful on how to approach him to know exactly what he meant; he has taken actions that have affected the rights of our colleagues.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The parliament of Ghana’s struggle to hit the 30 percent female representation continues to be a mirage with each passing parliament, a situation the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings requires political will to attain.

Speaking to Ghanamps.com, she said the passage of the Affirmative Action Act must bring some awakening to the political parties to institute measures geared towards actualizing the 30 percent female representation target, adding that parliament itself has no role to play in this, as the whole process of who comes to parliament is carried out on political platforms though independent participation is also allowed.

In the eighth (8th) Parliament, the female representation out of the two hundred and seventy-five seats, was forty females representing 14.5 percent; and the current 9th Parliament also currently has 40 females with Ablekuma North outstanding which by all indication will add one female to the number in parliament as both contenders are females. And that will increase the percentage to 14.8 percent, he stated.

She asserts that there is the need for a paradigm shift to include a lot of sensitization across board, so that people will understand the importance of having the 30 percent and how it will enhance our nation building.

“So the understanding of the value of bringing more women to the decision making table needs to be shared, and not something like being able to attend international conference and all of that; but actually Ghana will suffer for not achieving the thirty percent women representation in Parliament”.

She disclosed that some of the international parliamentary organisations have made it clear that countries that do not reach the thirty percent female representation are not welcomed; and as of last year Ghana was on that lists that has not met that particular requirement.

“It’s unfortunate we know what the percentage of women are in Ghana, we know the value of having women, not just when it’s time to campaign but at the decision table that ultimately affect policy; it also affects legislation which then affect the community as a whole”.

She asserted that we  definitely not doing well enough and that the political parties must do better with regard to representation of women.

“We should stop paying lip service to issues of women representation and actually implement it”, the lawmaker stated.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

With the confusion that has clouded the real roles of the Member of Parliament particular on the issue of spearheading developments in their various constituencies, as to whether he or she a development agent because he is elected and their role as law makers the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Opoku Ansah has pointed out that the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) would have to improve their engagement with the Ghanaian public to let them know the actual functions of their representatives in parliament .

“Our role as MPs, coming to Accra as legislators is to have oversight responsibility over the Executive arm of Government. When that education goes down well, Ghanaians will begin to appreciate the role of the MP. Then a lot of pressures will be lifted off the MP. If he or she is to ensure that laws are passed, that is the work they are supposed to do rather than MPs coming to fix gutters, toilets and build schools”.

As to whether Parliamentary Candidates or Members of Parliament should not take part of the blame as they go out there to campaign and give a lot of promises, the lawmaker pointed out in an interview that at the time the lawmaker to be was going round campaigning, the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are not yet known, and it takes the parliamentary candidate to sell the programmes and policies contained in the manifestoes of the political parties they represent.

So in doing so, the people assume the promises were coming directly from the PCs, forgetting that they have presidential candidates seeking executive power who would spearhead the development agenda including the construction of roads, schools, hospitals among others through the MMDCEs who are actually the development agents at the assemblies.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Speaker of Parliament’s disciplinary axe has fallen on four Members of Parliament.

The four;
Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi;
Frank Annoh-Dompreh, MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri;
Alhassan Sulemana Tampuuli, MP for Gushegu; and
Jerry Ahmed Shaib, MP for Weija-Gbawe have been suspended from Parliament for two weeks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin announced.

Their suspension is in relation to their involvement in the Thursday, January 30, 2025 chaotic scene at the vetting conducted by the Appointment Committee of Parliament.

A disagreement over whether or not the Committee should continue with the vetting of Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Kwabena Mintah Akandoh Ministers -designate for Foreign Affairs and Health respectively resulted in a brawl disrupting the vetting process.

The unfortunate development also resulted in the destruction of properties including tables and microphones at the vetting centre.

The Speaker described their actions as a direct affront to the dignity of Parliament, warranting immediate punitive measures.

”Let there be no doubt, Parliament’s credibility has been seriously undermined, and urgent punitive action must be taken, as this was done contemptus Parlamenti in facie parlamenti. Consequently, the following members are suspended from the sittings of Parliament for two weeks from today”, he said.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

The Minority at a press conference on Friday, 31st January, 2025 and addressed by the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin said they will not surrender to intimidation by the Majority with the verbal attack suffered yesterday.

According to him, last night, but for the vigilance of the police to escort them out, the thugs in the premises who support the NDC Majority would have attacked them; and commended the police for their professionalism.

Again, we are concerned by the attempt by the majority to disregard pre-sitting agreements on the number of nominees to appear before the committee.

Yesterday we had agreement to have three nominees for the day but change to four and later five; after that, we only saw that they wanted to smuggle Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in; he was fully dressed with the wife and family members and other regional minister who have not been programmed but they came to the committee.

“The Majority worn an election and they are to govern together with us; we will not allow them to use their majority to intimidate us; it will not happen, we are not going to boycott any proceedings. It is not part of us, we will stay in and protest; we have been in government before and we know governance; we will not obstruct government business”.

He further added that the Minority is at the risk of criticism from their own party members for not taking Mahama’s appointees through critical questioning; we believe it’s better to have the president have his ministers in place early rather than leave the Ministry for civil servants to run.

Again, we have invited memos fourteen days ahead of the appointment Committees public hearing, we have cooperated with the Majority side greatly, he stated.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Chairman of the Appointment Committee, Bernard Ahiafor has offered unqualified apology to the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Kingsford Bagbin, the leadership of the House and Ghanaians in general over the chaos that erupted on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

The Chairman in a statement before the commencement of vetting on Friday said as a committee they will work for the growth of Ghana’s democracy and implore all Members to conduct themselves in ways befitting Members of Parliament, bearing in mind that the rules and procedures governing parliamentary practices are upheld at all times.

“The brouhaha led to the destruction of some furniture and microphones in the Committee room and a disruption of proceedings, causing the sitting to end abruptly. The damage to these items affected the functionality of the Committee and has also tarnished the dignity of the institution and its members.

Upon assessment of the extent of the damage, one microphone was damaged beyond repair and has been replaced. Fortunately, this morning’s proceedings will carry on without any technical hitch. It is essential that we ensure a swift return to order and maintain the integrity of our Parliamentary processes.”

The actions that unfolded last night have drawn significant concern from the public and are a cause for reflection on the conduct and professionalism of our Members of Parliament and the Institution of Parliament. It is crucial that we restore confidence in our committee’s ability to function effectively and responsibly, he added.

According to him, while forceful disagreements during Plenary and Committees are common place, and indeed heckling and filibustering between and among Members are permissible, physical altercations are totally prohibited and the laws of our country emphatically prohibit same. “What happened last night is totally unacceptable and we take full responsibility for the unfortunate incident”.

Growing a democracy he noted is always a difficult process but agreeing to disagree with colleagues is an honorable way to handle issues.

He urged his colleagues to keep in mind that the duties given to them put them in privileged positions to serve our country and be good examples for those who will come after us.

“The people who put us here in parliament expect us to act in ways that will unite us as a people, and it is incumbent on us to take this task seriously. Please let’s conduct ourselves in this manner”.

And we assure you that appropriate measures will be put in place to address this issue and prevent a recurrence of such incidents in future.

We as members of this Committee will continue to work in unity and dignity for the furtherance of our parliamentary democracy and the good of our multiparty democracy, he concluded.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Chairman of the appointments Committee of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor has apologized to Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs for the lapse that occurred in him being present for vetting on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

The Chairman’s apology was in response to the nominee’s request for the Ranking of the Committee Alexander Afenyo-Markin to render an unqualified apology to him, and his guests for accusing him of smuggling himself to be vetted yesterday.

Mr. Ablakwa who made the request at the beginning of his vetting indicated that the Minority Leader at a press conference accused him of smuggling himself to the committee on Thursday even though he was not scheduled to be vetted.

However, Mr. Ablakwa presented and read the letter inviting him to appear before the Committee on Thursday including the request to submit 10 guests who will be following him.

He did not only accuse the Minority Leader but also one other Minority Member who posted on his Facebook post accusing him of same.

The actions of the Minority, he noted, appears to be a pre-conceived agenda to cast a slur on his reputation and thus called on the Chairman to take action on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Chairman acknowledge that the shortfall was occasioned by some disruption to their calendar and that they the committee should have communicated the changes to him.

Ghanamps.com

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the Clerk of the Appointments Committee of being partisan, alleging that she is working in favour of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking after a chaotic session on Thursday evening, Afenyo-Markin did not mince words in expressing his frustration.

“The committee is on a partisan track. Indeed, she is a typical NDC. She agrees with them and then advertises and informs people to come,” he claimed.

According to the Minority Leader, the Clerk acted outside the usual procedures by unilaterally making decisions without agreement from both sides.

“The practice has always been that the chairman and ranking would agree on who and who will come. Yesterday, there was no agreement. The Chairman was with me—no meeting. Then, at 10 pm, the Clerk advertised for 10 this morning,” the Effutu MP stated.

Mr Afenyo-Markin further alleged that the Clerk’s actions were part of a broader strategy by the Majority to push through more nominees than had been agreed upon.

“Today, we agreed to do three nominees and my deputy was here. They had a pre-sitting and agreed on three. Later in the afternoon, they said four. Then again, they said, ‘Oh, let’s compromise on one more.”

“We said okay, and they made it five. Just as we finished the three, we realized they had paraded several other nominees, thinking we would boycott. We will not boycott,” he declared.

He also accused the NDC of attempting to intimidate and sideline the Minority in the vetting process.

“NDC is always out to intimidate people, always bullying. They can call us a ‘micro minority.’ They can say whatever they want to say. But we have been cooperating with them,” he stated.

Despite the disruptions, Mr Afenyo-Markin maintained that the Minority would not back down.

“Nothing will stop us from asking the relevant questions,” he insisted, making it clear that his side would continue to scrutinize nominees without fear or intimidation.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com